Black women take on more student loan debt than any other demographic. On top of that, Black women are also paid disproportionately low wages after they graduate, making it difficult for them to pay back their loans on time. 

In an effort to close the education debt gap, a number of businesses and organizations offer scholarships specifically for Black women. In this article, we at The University Network (TUN) break down what we believe are some of the best scholarships out there for Black women. 

Here are 13 of the best scholarships for Black women:

Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG) Ethnic Minority Scholarship

Offered by the Association for Women Geoscientists, the AWG Ethnic Minority Scholarship encourages young minority women to pursue education and careers in the geosciences, which include geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, meteorology, physical oceanography, planetary geology, and earth science. In addition to the scholarship award, winners will receive a mentor in their field who will offer guidance and support. 

To apply, those interested must submit an application and include two letters of recommendation, high school and college transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and an essay about academic and career goals. 

Award: $6,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be a woman who is African-American, Hispanic, or Native American
• Must be a full-time student pursuing a degree in the geosciences or planning to do so after high school graduation
• Must be “a contributor to the larger world community through her academic and personal strengths”

UNCF General Application

UNCF, a philanthropic organization that provides scholarships for Black students and supports HBCUs, promotes dozens of scholarships for Black students each year. The UNCF General Application is not an application to one specific scholarship but is used to establish a pool of eligible applicants for ongoing scholarship opportunities, some of which are specifically for Black women. 

To apply, those interested must fill out an application and fill out the Free Application for Student Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Award: $5,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be enrolled at one of the 37 UNCF Member Institutions
• Must complete the FAFSA
• Must have a demonstrated financial need as verified by the financial aid office
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

Davis Scholarship For Women In STEM

Administered by the UNCF, the Davis Scholarship For Women In STEM is an annual award granted to two Black female students, sophomores and above, who have declared a major in a STEM field. 

To apply, those interested must submit an application and include an unofficial academic transcript, evidence of unmet financial need, and an essay of no less than 400 words. Preference will be given to students from Massachusetts.

Award: $5,000 (two awards)

Eligibility: 

• Must be a woman enrolled at one of the 37 UNCF Member Institutions
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Must be majoring in a STEM field
• Must hold a classification of a college sophomore, college junior, or college senior

Rooted In Science Scholarship 

Offered by Procter and Gamble and CVS Health and administered by UNCF, the Rooted In Science Scholarship awards annual need-based scholarships to Black women who are college juniors and are pursuing a degree in a STEM-related discipline. The $5,000 awards are renewable for up to one year for those who continue to meet eligibility requirements. 

To apply, those interested must submit an application and include a current academic transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a one-page essay. Semi-finalists will have to submit a 3-5 minute video answering a series of questions about their interests in STEM. 

Award: Up to $5,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be a Black woman 
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Must be currently classified as a college junior and enrolled full-time at any U.S. accredited four-year college or university
• Must be pursuing a degree program in biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, or mechanical engineering
• Must be a US citizen or legal U.S. resident
• Must have completed the most recent FAFSA and have a demonstrated unmet financial need

Women of Color Scholars Program

Offered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), the Women of Color Scholars Program is an annual award designated for female students of African, Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American descent who are pursuing a Ph.D. or Th.D. within the field of religious studies and intend to teach at Methodist seminaries. 

To apply, those interested must fill out the GBHEM’s general application, which asks for pastor references, an academic transcript, and, for some applicants, a resume.

Award: $3,000–$10,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be a woman
• Must have at least one African, Black, Hispanic, Asian or Native American parent
• Must be pursuing a Ph.D. or Th.D. within the field of religious studies
• Must “aspire to serve on the faculty or in an executive administrative position at a United Methodist-related theological school”
• Must have a minimum of three years of membership in the United Methodist Church
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Madeline Kountze Dugger-Kelly Scholarship

The Black Women in Sport Foundation (BWSF) offers the annual Madeline Kountze Dugger-Kelly Scholarship to a Black woman who is enrolled full-time in an accredited graduate program. To be eligible, the applicant should have played a collegiate sport in her undergraduate program.

For application information, contact the foundation. 

Award: $1,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be a Black woman
• Must be enrolled full-time in an accredited graduate program
• Must have played a collegiate sport during undergraduate school

Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship

The Alumnae Association of Omega Phi Beta sorority offers the Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship, which is an annual award given to a minority female high school senior who shows great academic achievement. 

To apply, those interested must submit an application and include an academic transcript and their SAT/ACT scores. 

Award: $1,000

Eligibility: 

The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), offers thousands of scholarship dollars each year to help nurses further their education and better contribute to the healthcare of their communities. Those who fill out an application to the NBNA Scholarship Program will be eligible to receive one of more than a dozen scholarship awards, each worth up to $5,000. 

To apply, those eligible must submit an application and include an academic transcript, two written essays, two letters of recommendation, and a headshot. Additional items that applicants may want to include are documented evidence of participation in student nurse activities and involvement in the African American Community.

Award: $1,000-$5,000

Eligibility: 

• “Must be a member of NBNA and a member of a local chapter (if one exists in your area) — students who don’t have a chapter within 50-mile radius of their location can join NBNA as a Direct Member
• Must be currently enrolled in a nursing program and be in “good scholastic standing”
• Must have at least one full year of school remaining 

Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” Scholarship

NHBW, a charitable organization advocating for the wellbeing of women and their families, offers the annual Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” Scholarship to provide financial assistance to Black women who have had their education interrupted by personal demands, such as family responsibilities. 

To apply, those interested must submit an application and include proof of acceptance or enrollment, two letters of recommendation, an academic transcript, and a 450- to 500-word personal statement explaining the circumstances that qualify them for the scholarship and how the scholarship would impact their post-secondary plans.  

Award: $500

Eligibility: 

• Must be a Black woman over 21 years of age 
• Must have had education interrupted by “family responsibilities or other personal demands”
• Must have been accepted to or currently attending a college or university

NANBPWC National Scholarship

The NANBPWC, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of Black women in business, offers a national scholarship to Black women who are graduating from high school. 

To apply, those interested must submit an application and include a letter of recommendation, an unofficial academic transcript, and an essay of 300 or more words explaining how the work accomplished by two African American trailblazers has benefited them personally. 

Award: Varies

Eligibility:

• Must be African American, female, and a graduating senior
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale by February 1 in the year of graduation
• Must be a U.S. citizen

Sherelle T. and Timothy T. Carper III Scholarship

Also offered by the NANBPWC, the Sherelle T. and Timothy T. Carper III Scholarship is an annual award offered to Black, female undergraduate students majoring in a STEM, aviation, political science, communications, or business management related field. 

To apply, those interested must submit an application and include a letter of recommendation, an unofficial academic transcript, and an essay reflecting on the work environment of three women in the movie “Hidden Figures” and explaining how today’s African American women are being given equal treatment in the workplace. 

Award: Varies

Eligibility:

• Must be an African American single mother 18-30 years of age
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university
• Must major in a STEM, aviation, political science, communications, or business management related field

The Dr. Blanca Moore-Velez Woman of Substance Scholarship 

Also offered by the NANBPWC, the Dr. Blanca Moore-Velez Woman of Substance Scholarship is an annual award offered to Black, female undergraduate students who are 35 or older. 

To apply, those interested must submit an application and include a letter of recommendation, an unofficial academic transcript, and an essay of no less than 500 words on the topic, “challenges of the mature student and how I overcame them.” 

Award: Varies

Eligibility:

• Must be an African American, female, and over the age of 35
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale by February 1

Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship

Offered jointly by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship Fund, the Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship is an annual need-based award given to a female minority high school senior who will be taking a full course load and playing golf at an accredited U.S. college or university. 

Award: $1,250

Eligibility: 

• Must be a minority woman
• Must be a graduating high school senior planning to take a full course load and play golf at an accredited college or university
• Must be involved with community service
• Must demonstrate financial need

For more scholarships, check the TUN scholarship search engine.